MANILA, Philippines – In order to provide better service and convenience when applying for visas, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines announced the opening of the new Japan Visa Application Center (JVAC).
In an on-background press briefing, the Embassy said that the JVAC, which will be operated by VFS Services Philippines, Inc. is set to open on April 7, 2025.
“The Embassy of Japan decided to introduce the new visa center in order to provide better service and convenience to those applying for visas,” an official from the Embassy said.
So, this is to further enhance the efficiency and also to maintain the quality of the visa examination process as well as to continue strengthening our robust people-to-people exchange,” the official added.
There will also be five branches in the Philippines, particularly in Paranaque City, Makati City, Quezon City, Cebu City and Davao City, with business hours from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday; and application hours from 7am to 2pm in Paranaque, Makati and Quezon City branches; and 7am to 12nn in its Cebu City branch.
The Embassy added that the releasing of visas will be from 7am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. The centers will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays and during Embassy holidays.
For the complete address and locations of the visa centers, you may refer to the link: https://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000035.html.
Applicants are still advised to secure an appointment online through the VFS Philippines website, the Embassy said.
Embassy not to impose fees for tourist visas
The Japanese Embassy also confirmed that they will not impose fees on visas for tourism, whether it be single or multiple entry visas.
“At this moment, [the] Government of Japan or Embassy of Japan take no fee for tourism visa. To be correct, precise, so we will not impose any fee for visa, at least for tourism visa, both single [entry] visa. For multiple visa, we don't take any fee for tourism visa,” the Embassy of Japan mentioned.
The Embassy clarified though, that applicants may need to pay fees for the operational expenses of the visa centers.
“But of course, travel agencies or visa center[s] have to do their own jobs and also have to manage to streamline thousands of visas a day. So, in order to streamline and process it in a proper manner, they do need some people, also systems, and that all cost money. So therefore, they do have a fee for their own travel agency or visa center,” the Embassy explained.
In its website, the Japanese Embassy mentioned that applications at the visa centers will incur a “visa fee” and a “center usage fee” of PHP520.00, depending on the applicant’s nationality and the type of visa application. Fees also must be paid at the time of the application.
The Embassy reiterated that applications will no longer be accepted at the previously accredited agencies starting April 6. However, for applications submitted before April 6, the releasing of passports will be at the agency where the applications were submitted.
“For cases related to diplomatic or official passports, or urgent cases requiring humanitarian consideration, please contact our Embassy or the nearest Cebu or Davao Consulate," the Embassy added.
